665:
462:, PHIBLEX, and Balikitan. Since 1986 the Squadron has participated in the following exercises: Team Spirit, Valiant Blitz, Cope Thunder, Bear Hunt, Balikatan, Golden Eagle, Cobra Gold, JTF Full Accounting, Freedom Banner, Jigsaw, Beachcrest, Evergreen, Cloud Warrior, Valiant Usher, Ulchi Focus Lens, Dragon Slayer, Korean Integrated Training Program, Hawaiian Combined Arms Exercise, Southern Frontier, Millennium Edge, Talon Vision, Crocodile, Foal Eagle, Ryukyu Warrior, Coral Tiger, Wolmi Do Fury, Cambodia Interoperability Program, Talisman Saber,
443:
409:
Forward Arming and
Refueling Points (FARP). They maintained a consistently high operational tempo supporting 3d MAW (FWD) and Multi-National Forces-West (MNF-W) in the Central Command Theater of Operations. The unit provided AGS, combat service support, and conducted other related tasks in order to support the full spectrum of combat operations across the Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Relief-in-place was conducted with MWSS-273. The Transfer of Authority occurred on 12 October 2008.
1208:
163:
28:
502:
1324:
470:
Japan installations. The
Squadron currently maintains the following: a High Powered Run-Up (HPRU) at Kadena Air Base, seven V/TOL pads, four AM-2 matted LZ pads, two improved LZ pads, an active 5,500-foot coral runway and a simulated Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) deck constructed of AM-2 matting at the Ie Shima Training Area.
376:, MWSS-172 has had an active role in the Global War on Terrorism. For four months following the attacks, the squadron provided Air Base Ground Defense (ABGD) to MCAS Futenma. Additionally, the squadron provided critical support to several operations throughout the Global War on Terror; most notably, Operations
323:
Since its inception, MWSS-172 has successfully supported numerous missions and requests for assistance throughout the globe. Throughout 1987, the
Squadron continually increased its table of organization and equipment, adding numerous pieces of motor transport and engineer equipment to its inventory.
469:
In addition to its primary mission of supporting the 1st Marine
Aircraft Wing's Aviation Combat Element, the squadron provides operational forces for Operation Enduring Freedom, participates in various annual training exercises across PACOM, and conducts airfield operations on four Marine Corps Base
400:
In 2006, the entire
Squadron deployed for the first time in over ten years to the Korean Peninsula in support of the annual combined field training exercise (FTX) Foal Eagle. In addition, the squadron deployed to both Fort Magsaysay and Clark Air Base in the Republic of Philippines for Talon Vision
412:
Upon return from OIF 08.1, MWSS-172 continued to influence the multiple nations within U.S. Pacific
Command (PACOM). MWSS-172 worked closely with allied and friendly nations to build partner capacity through annual readiness exercises and Theater Security Cooperation activities. The squadron also
391:
From
October to December 2003, MWSS-172 took on the challenging task of completely replacing all 432,648 square feet of AM-2 matting on the Ie Shima VSTOL pad. Then, from September to November 2004, the Squadron resurfaced the 5,500-foot coral runway also located on the island. In December 2004,
435:
in
November 2013, that devastated the southern islands in the Republic of the Philippines, the Marines and Sailors of MWSS-172 were some of the first responders from III MEF to provide HA/DR to the displaced citizens that were affected by the storm. The squadron provided personnel and additional
319:
The
Squadron's primary mission at that time was to provide all essential AGS requirements to a designated rotary-wing component of a Marine Aviation Combat Element. Additionally, an implied mission was to supplement air base facilities and services aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma.
408:
From
January to March 2008, MWSS-172 made final preparations for the unit's deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over the seven-month period, MWSS-172 Firebirds were deployed to the Al Anbar Province supporting one major air base, numerous Forward Operating Bases (FOB), and
327:
During the fall of 1989, MWSS-172 constructed the Vertical Short Take-Off and Landing (VSTOL) facility on Ie Shima island with Marines and equipment from 1st Bulk Fuel Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion; the only such facility in the Western Pacific. The squadron has since performed regular
427:
From July to August 2013, the Engineer Operations and Airfield Operations companies constructed four coral improved, AM-2 matted, 96-foot by 96-foot landing zone (LZ) pads and two coral improved LZ pads at the Ie Shima Training Area. These LZ's enabled division-sized landing operations for both
365:
Throughout February and March 1996, MWSS-172 reconfigured the VSTOL strip on Ie Shima to simulate the deck of an amphibious assault ship. In October and November of the same year, the Squadron returned to Ie Shima to construct a control tower, complete with a state of the art Close-In Approach
436:
equipment in support of Operation DAMAYAN that assisted the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and the Air Combat Element (ACE) with their missions in the form of provisional security, airfield support functions, a FARP located at Guiuan and specialized medical assistance.
306:
Provide all essential Aviation Ground Support (AGS) requirements to a Marine Aviation Combat Element. Additionally, an implied mission is to supplement airbase facilities and services at a collocated Marine Corps Air Station, which is performed aboard MCAS Futenma.
350:. In September 1996, Squadron Marines and Sailors once again met the operational challenges when they supported Operation PACIFIC HAVEN, which provided medical care and humanitarian assistance to 6,600 Kurdish evacuees brought to Guam for political asylum.
315:
Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 (MWSS-172) was activated on 16 June 1986 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan immediately upon the deactivation of Wing Transportation Squadron 17, Wing Engineer Squadron 17, and Marine Air Base Squadron 36.
361:
Participated in exercises COBRA GOLD 96 and FREEDOM BANNER 96 (a maritime prepositioning force (MPF) exercise) in the Kingdom of Thailand. These two exercises were conducted concurrently and ran from March to July, including strategic lift windows.
636:
601:
357:
near Pohang, Korea. During the exercise, Typhoon "Faye" touched down southwest of the Sea of Japan port city of Pohang. MWSS-172 provided weather support to all Marine aviation assets, issued warnings, and conducted weather briefs.
606:
396:
hit Indonesia, destroying critical infrastructure and leaving large portions of the local national population homeless. MWSS-172 responded immediately and provided personnel and equipment in support of the HA/DR mission.
428:
tilt-rotor and rotary-wing aircraft. In addition to the six pads, the Marines also resurfaced the 5,500 ft coral runway in order to support operations for KC-130J aircraft and any additional fixed-wing assets.
936:
388:. Simultaneously, the squadron continued to participate in multiple Joint Task Force (JTF) Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) Operations throughout the Pacific Command Area of Responsibility.
999:
611:
1452:
439:
To decrease the response time in support of any PACOM mission, the squadron conducts internal readiness exercises throughout the year to test response times in the event of a contingency operation.
369:
From 1999 through 2001, MWSS-172 relocated from MCAS Futenma to Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Foster and continued to support MCAS Futenma and Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36) with outstanding AGS.
648:
324:
During the last months of 1988, Marine Wing Support Squadron 174 relocated to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and left Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 as the sole Marine Wing Support Squadron on Okinawa.
1047:
921:
859:
747:
484:
402:
271:
588:
466:, Southern Frontier, Sea Angel, Fiery Vigil, Pacific Haven, Bangladesh Interoperability Program, Damayan, Philippine Bi-Lateral Exercise (PHIBLEX), and multiple JTF HA/DR Operations.
1019:
962:
842:
331:
In 1991, the Squadron attached a large contingent of Marines to Special Purpose MAGTF 2-91. While assigned there, they provided Humanitarian assistance in Operations Sea Angel for
593:
869:
1014:
926:
1009:
753:
184:
797:
643:
540:
1097:
864:
631:
822:
681:
479:
957:
916:
802:
1175:
420:
that hit mainland Japan in 2011, the squadron provided personnel and equipment to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) for HA/DR operations in support of
817:
807:
573:
1165:
1107:
952:
812:
994:
931:
703:
401:
07. These two exercises validated the unit's capability to deploy as a squadron into an austere environment, establish a footprint, and then fulfil all
1077:
1042:
1037:
691:
568:
513:
506:
1004:
896:
578:
393:
1170:
742:
1416:
1092:
1067:
911:
901:
235:
1383:
1340:
1293:
458:
Annually, the Firebirds deploy Marines and Sailors to the Kingdom of Thailand and to the Republic of the Philippines in support of Exercises
207:
533:
339:
in the Republic of Philippines that assisted with the evacuation of Department of Defense civilians and personnel from the effects of the
1265:
1211:
1134:
1052:
827:
563:
489:
214:
1057:
720:
583:
417:
972:
254:
446:
Ziraphinya Somari, center, sticks her tongue out for multinational medical professionals during a cooperative health engagement in
221:
1298:
1245:
526:
340:
713:
203:
188:
1426:
1421:
906:
696:
353:
In July 1993, Marines from the 3d Force Service Support Group and Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 172 participated in
1140:
792:
776:
760:
730:
708:
291:
1408:
1102:
735:
173:
1275:
549:
381:
275:
65:
192:
177:
1112:
1072:
832:
686:
1375:
1332:
1285:
1254:
1062:
295:
279:
95:
91:
228:
385:
354:
332:
1158:
852:
623:
347:
413:
responded to natural disasters by providing aid to victims and internal support to affected governments.
837:
377:
336:
328:
maintenance and upgrades to this facility, enhancing mission readiness across 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
1238:
442:
1431:
1146:
421:
1270:
725:
1117:
373:
1123:
967:
1231:
1182:
447:
1152:
847:
432:
287:
1446:
1187:
1082:
463:
283:
162:
105:
346:
In January 1993, a group of MWSS-172 Marines deployed to Somalia in support of
1087:
459:
451:
518:
1223:
27:
501:
1350:
1345:
1313:
1308:
1303:
1323:
1398:
1393:
1360:
1355:
1192:
1365:
1129:
441:
1227:
522:
156:
405:
of AGS which allowed air combat power to project forward.
485:
List of United States Marine Corps aviation support units
589:
Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps
1453:
United States Marine Corps aviation support squadrons
1407:
1374:
1331:
1284:
1028:
985:
945:
889:
880:
785:
769:
672:
622:
556:
142:
132:
127:
119:
111:
101:
87:
79:
71:
61:
53:
45:
37:
20:
282:. Known as the "Firebirds", they are based out of
754:United States Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
294:before they disbanded, MWSS-172 now falls under
480:Organization of the United States Marine Corps
450:, Thailand, 13 February 2014, during exercise
1239:
534:
8:
637:Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee
191:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
1246:
1232:
1224:
886:
619:
541:
527:
519:
26:
255:Learn how and when to remove this message
579:Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
743:Marine Corps Combat Development Command
416:Immediately following the devastating
17:
372:Since the Al Qaeda terror attacks on
7:
189:adding citations to reliable sources
1266:Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1
490:United States Marine Corps Aviation
341:volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo
1058:Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps
584:Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
204:"Marine Wing Support Squadron 172"
14:
598:Marine Corps three-star generals
418:earthquake and subsequent tsunami
1322:
1207:
1206:
1166:History of Hispanics in the USMC
748:Training & Education Command
682:Organization of the Marine Corps
663:
507:Marine Wing Support Squadron 172
500:
268:Marine Wing Support Squadron 172
161:
75:Aviation ground support squadron
21:Marine Wing Support Squadron 172
922:Criminal Investigation Division
644:Senate Armed Services Committee
594:Marine Corps four-star generals
335:that devastated Bangladesh and
714:III Marine Expeditionary Force
632:House Armed Services Committee
574:Commandant of the Marine Corps
1:
697:II Marine Expeditionary Force
1171:History of women in the USMC
1141:Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima
932:Chaplain of the Marine Corps
793:Marine Air-Ground Task Force
777:Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary
761:Marine Corps Systems Command
709:I Marine Expeditionary Force
292:Marine Wing Support Group 17
290:, Japan. Previously part of
569:Under Secretary of the Navy
514:MWSS 172's official website
366:Indicator Guidance System.
1471:
1276:Marine Wing Liaison Kadena
550:United States Marine Corps
276:United States Marine Corps
66:United States Marine Corps
1320:
1261:
1201:
1113:Marine Corps War Memorial
963:Officer Candidates School
833:Marine expeditionary unit
687:Headquarters Marine Corps
661:
25:
1255:1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1063:Eagle, Globe, and Anchor
937:Associated organizations
296:Marine Aircraft Group 36
280:1st Marine Aircraft Wing
96:1st Marine Aircraft Wing
92:Marine Aircraft Group 36
57:United States of America
927:Judge Advocate Division
355:Exercise Freedom Banner
123:Committed to Excellence
853:Marine Raider Regiment
455:
348:Operation Restore Hope
41:16 June 1986 – present
1015:Vehicles and aircraft
838:Marine Security Guard
721:Marine Forces Reserve
704:Marine Forces Pacific
692:Marine Forces Command
649:Seapower subcommittee
564:Secretary of the Navy
509:at Wikimedia Commons
445:
272:aviation support unit
1103:White House Sentries
1098:Silent Drill Platoon
1078:Drum and Bugle Corps
1020:Individual equipment
973:Martial Arts Program
185:improve this article
148:MajGen Tracy W. King
138:LtCol Nicole A. Penn
422:Operation Tomodachi
1118:Marine Detachments
1048:Acronyms and terms
958:School of Infantry
912:Historical Marines
843:Special Operations
726:Fleet Marine Force
456:
1440:
1439:
1221:
1220:
981:
980:
917:Marine Astronauts
659:
658:
505:Media related to
374:11 September 2001
270:(MWSS 172) is an
265:
264:
257:
239:
152:
151:
32:MWSS-172 Insignia
1460:
1326:
1248:
1241:
1234:
1225:
1210:
1209:
1147:Rifleman's Creed
968:The Basic School
953:Recruit Training
887:
667:
666:
620:
543:
536:
529:
520:
504:
382:Enduring Freedom
260:
253:
249:
246:
240:
238:
197:
165:
157:
30:
18:
1470:
1469:
1463:
1462:
1461:
1459:
1458:
1457:
1443:
1442:
1441:
1436:
1403:
1370:
1327:
1318:
1280:
1257:
1252:
1222:
1217:
1197:
1183:Honorary Marine
1176:Women's Reserve
1135:National Museum
1108:Service Numbers
1030:
1024:
987:
977:
941:
907:Notable Marines
882:
876:
828:Marine aviation
781:
765:
674:
668:
664:
655:
618:
552:
547:
498:
476:
431:In the wake of
313:
304:
261:
250:
244:
241:
198:
196:
182:
166:
155:
144:
134:
94:
33:
12:
11:
5:
1468:
1467:
1464:
1456:
1455:
1445:
1444:
1438:
1437:
1435:
1434:
1429:
1424:
1419:
1413:
1411:
1405:
1404:
1402:
1401:
1396:
1391:
1386:
1380:
1378:
1372:
1371:
1369:
1368:
1363:
1358:
1353:
1348:
1343:
1337:
1335:
1329:
1328:
1321:
1319:
1317:
1316:
1311:
1306:
1301:
1296:
1290:
1288:
1282:
1281:
1279:
1278:
1273:
1268:
1262:
1259:
1258:
1253:
1251:
1250:
1243:
1236:
1228:
1219:
1218:
1216:
1215:
1202:
1199:
1198:
1196:
1195:
1190:
1185:
1180:
1179:
1178:
1168:
1163:
1162:
1161:
1153:Semper Fidelis
1149:
1144:
1137:
1132:
1127:
1120:
1115:
1110:
1105:
1100:
1095:
1090:
1085:
1080:
1075:
1070:
1065:
1060:
1055:
1050:
1045:
1040:
1034:
1032:
1031:and traditions
1026:
1025:
1023:
1022:
1017:
1012:
1007:
1002:
997:
991:
989:
983:
982:
979:
978:
976:
975:
970:
965:
960:
955:
949:
947:
943:
942:
940:
939:
934:
929:
924:
919:
914:
909:
904:
899:
893:
891:
884:
878:
877:
875:
874:
873:
872:
867:
857:
856:
855:
850:
848:Marine Raiders
840:
835:
830:
825:
820:
815:
810:
805:
800:
795:
789:
787:
783:
782:
780:
779:
773:
771:
767:
766:
764:
763:
758:
757:
756:
751:
740:
739:
738:
733:
723:
718:
717:
716:
711:
701:
700:
699:
689:
684:
678:
676:
670:
669:
662:
660:
657:
656:
654:
653:
652:
651:
641:
640:
639:
628:
626:
617:
616:
615:
614:
609:
604:
596:
591:
586:
581:
576:
571:
566:
560:
558:
554:
553:
548:
546:
545:
538:
531:
523:
517:
516:
497:
496:External links
494:
493:
492:
487:
482:
475:
472:
433:Typhoon Haiyan
312:
309:
303:
300:
263:
262:
169:
167:
160:
153:
150:
149:
146:
140:
139:
136:
130:
129:
125:
124:
121:
117:
116:
113:
109:
108:
103:
99:
98:
89:
85:
84:
81:
77:
76:
73:
69:
68:
63:
59:
58:
55:
51:
50:
47:
43:
42:
39:
35:
34:
31:
23:
22:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1466:
1465:
1454:
1451:
1450:
1448:
1433:
1430:
1428:
1425:
1423:
1420:
1418:
1415:
1414:
1412:
1410:
1406:
1400:
1397:
1395:
1392:
1390:
1387:
1385:
1382:
1381:
1379:
1377:
1373:
1367:
1364:
1362:
1359:
1357:
1354:
1352:
1349:
1347:
1344:
1342:
1339:
1338:
1336:
1334:
1330:
1325:
1315:
1312:
1310:
1307:
1305:
1302:
1300:
1297:
1295:
1292:
1291:
1289:
1287:
1283:
1277:
1274:
1272:
1269:
1267:
1264:
1263:
1260:
1256:
1249:
1244:
1242:
1237:
1235:
1230:
1229:
1226:
1214:
1213:
1204:
1203:
1200:
1194:
1191:
1189:
1188:Toys for Tots
1186:
1184:
1181:
1177:
1174:
1173:
1172:
1169:
1167:
1164:
1160:
1157:
1156:
1155:
1154:
1150:
1148:
1145:
1143:
1142:
1138:
1136:
1133:
1131:
1128:
1125:
1124:Marines' Hymn
1121:
1119:
1116:
1114:
1111:
1109:
1106:
1104:
1101:
1099:
1096:
1094:
1091:
1089:
1086:
1084:
1083:Horse Marines
1081:
1079:
1076:
1074:
1071:
1069:
1066:
1064:
1061:
1059:
1056:
1054:
1051:
1049:
1046:
1044:
1041:
1039:
1036:
1035:
1033:
1027:
1021:
1018:
1016:
1013:
1011:
1008:
1006:
1003:
1001:
998:
996:
993:
992:
990:
988:and equipment
984:
974:
971:
969:
966:
964:
961:
959:
956:
954:
951:
950:
948:
944:
938:
935:
933:
930:
928:
925:
923:
920:
918:
915:
913:
910:
908:
905:
903:
900:
898:
897:Rank insignia
895:
894:
892:
888:
885:
879:
871:
868:
866:
863:
862:
861:
858:
854:
851:
849:
846:
845:
844:
841:
839:
836:
834:
831:
829:
826:
824:
821:
819:
816:
814:
811:
809:
806:
804:
801:
799:
796:
794:
791:
790:
788:
784:
778:
775:
774:
772:
768:
762:
759:
755:
752:
749:
746:
745:
744:
741:
737:
734:
732:
729:
728:
727:
724:
722:
719:
715:
712:
710:
707:
706:
705:
702:
698:
695:
694:
693:
690:
688:
685:
683:
680:
679:
677:
671:
650:
647:
646:
645:
642:
638:
635:
634:
633:
630:
629:
627:
625:
621:
613:
610:
608:
605:
603:
600:
599:
597:
595:
592:
590:
587:
585:
582:
580:
577:
575:
572:
570:
567:
565:
562:
561:
559:
555:
551:
544:
539:
537:
532:
530:
525:
524:
521:
515:
512:
511:
510:
508:
503:
495:
491:
488:
486:
483:
481:
478:
477:
473:
471:
467:
465:
461:
453:
449:
444:
440:
437:
434:
429:
425:
423:
419:
414:
410:
406:
404:
398:
395:
389:
387:
386:Iraqi Freedom
383:
379:
375:
370:
367:
363:
359:
356:
351:
349:
344:
342:
338:
334:
329:
325:
321:
317:
310:
308:
301:
299:
297:
293:
289:
285:
281:
277:
273:
269:
259:
256:
248:
237:
234:
230:
227:
223:
220:
216:
213:
209:
206: –
205:
201:
200:Find sources:
194:
190:
186:
180:
179:
175:
170:This article
168:
164:
159:
158:
154:Military unit
147:
141:
137:
131:
126:
122:
118:
114:
110:
107:
104:
100:
97:
93:
90:
86:
82:
78:
74:
70:
67:
64:
60:
56:
52:
49:United States
48:
44:
40:
36:
29:
24:
19:
16:
1388:
1271:1st MAW Band
1205:
1151:
1139:
883:and training
612:2010–present
499:
468:
457:
438:
430:
426:
415:
411:
407:
399:
390:
371:
368:
364:
360:
352:
345:
330:
326:
322:
318:
314:
305:
267:
266:
251:
242:
232:
225:
218:
211:
199:
183:Please help
171:
88:Part of
15:
1093:Color Guard
1073:Marine Band
624:US Congress
464:Khaan Quest
378:Noble Eagle
337:Fiery Vigil
333:the typhoon
284:Camp Foster
115:"Firebirds"
112:Nickname(s)
106:Camp Foster
102:Garrison/HQ
1088:Marine One
803:Battalions
557:Leadership
460:Cobra Gold
452:Cobra Gold
215:newspapers
145:commanders
128:Commanders
54:Allegiance
890:Personnel
881:Personnel
823:MEF/Corps
818:Divisions
808:Regiments
786:Structure
770:Auxiliary
607:2000–2009
602:1942–1959
448:Sukhothai
403:functions
394:a tsunami
245:June 2023
172:does not
135:commander
1447:Category
1432:1st LAAD
1389:MWSS-172
1351:VMGR-153
1346:MWSS-174
1314:VMGR-152
1309:VMFA-242
1304:VMFA-121
1299:MWSS-171
1212:Category
1053:Birthday
995:Uniforms
986:Uniforms
946:Training
870:Division
813:Brigades
731:Atlantic
675:commands
474:See also
120:Motto(s)
1417:MWCS-18
1409:MACG-18
1399:VMM-265
1394:VMM-262
1384:MALS-36
1361:VMM-363
1356:VMM-268
1341:MALS-24
1294:MALS-12
1193:Gung ho
1043:Culture
1038:History
1029:History
1010:Weapons
750:(TECOM)
736:Pacific
311:History
302:Mission
288:Okinawa
274:of the
229:scholar
193:removed
178:sources
143:Notable
133:Current
46:Country
1427:MASS-2
1422:MACS-4
1376:MAG-36
1333:MAG-24
1286:MAG-12
1005:Badges
1000:Awards
673:Major
231:
224:
217:
210:
202:
62:Branch
38:Active
1366:VMU-3
1159:march
1130:Oorah
865:Force
860:Recon
798:Bases
454:2014.
236:JSTOR
222:books
1068:Flag
384:and
208:news
176:any
174:cite
83:350+
80:Size
72:Type
902:MOS
278:'s
187:by
1449::
424:.
380:,
343:.
298:.
286:,
1247:e
1240:t
1233:v
1126:"
1122:"
542:e
535:t
528:v
258:)
252:(
247:)
243:(
233:·
226:·
219:·
212:·
195:.
181:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
